Smart Home Automation Must-Haves for Apartments

Whether you are a property staff member or developer in the multifamily industry, you want to provide the best possible living experience for your residents. Along with top-tier amenities, more and more multifamily properties are elevating their resident experience by integrating smart devices into their apartments.  While initially exclusive to single-family homes, smart home devices have migrated to multifamily buildings offering convenience, energy savings, and added security for residents and their guests.  

In this article, we’ll cover… 

• What is smart apartment technology? 
• What is a smart apartment?
• What are the benefits of a smart apartment?
• The 5 best apartment automation systems 

What is smart apartment technology?

Smart apartment technology refers to a collection of devices and systems that are designed to automate and improve various aspects of multifamily living. These devices range from simple gadgets like smart thermostats and lighting controls to more complex systems like home security and energy management systems.

What is a smart apartment?

A smart apartment is an apartment that incorporates various smart home technologies and devices to create a more comfortable, convenient, and energy-efficient living environment. Smart apartments typically feature a range of interconnected devices, such as smart thermostats, lighting controls, security systems, and voice assistants, that can be controlled through a single app or interface.

What are the benefits of a smart apartment?

Smart apartments are particularly popular in multifamily communities, which include apartment complexes and other types of shared housing. In these communities, smart apartment technology can help property managers and residents alike by providing a range of benefits, including:

• Energy efficiency: Smart thermostats and lighting controls can help residents save energy and reduce their utility bills, while also making it easier for property managers to manage and monitor energy usage across the community.
• Security: Smart security systems can help property managers and residents monitor and protect their homes and belongings from potential threats, such as theft or vandalism.
• Convenience: Smart apartment technology can make it easier for residents to control various aspects of their home, such as temperature and lighting, using voice commands or a smartphone app.
• Sustainability: Smart apartment communities meet sustainability goals by reducing energy consumption, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and minimizing waste.
• Improved resident experience: Smart apartment technology can enhance the overall resident experience by providing a range of amenities and services, such as package delivery systems, shared workspace areas, and smart parking solutions.

5 Best Apartment Automation Systems 

Smart Locks 

Smart locks are a great addition to any apartment. They allow residents to lock and unlock their doors remotely, without the need for a physical key. This eliminates the need to worry about lost or stolen keys and allows residents to provide temporary access codes to visitors. Smart locks also integrate with other smart devices, such as video doorbells and security systems, to provide added security.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats allow residents to control their heating and cooling remotely, using their smartphones or voice commands. This can lead to significant energy savings, as residents can adjust the temperature based on their schedule and preferences. Smart thermostats can also integrate with other smart devices, such as smart plugs and light bulbs, to create a fully automated home.

Popular wifi thermostats like Nest and Ecobee only work if they have a wifi connection. This is feasible in a home or office environment but causes major issues in a multifamily apartment setting where the wifi situation is constantly changing.

A more practical alternative for apartment properties is a smart thermostat that uses z-wave technology to communicate with a cell-enabled control panel. No wifi needed. 

Smart Home Sensors 

Smart home sensors for apartments are a popular type of smart apartment technology that can help you protect your home and belongings from intruders and other potential threats. These sensors can detect when a door or window is opened or closed, providing an additional layer of security against potential break-ins.

Here are some key features and benefits of smart home sensors:

• Remote monitoring: Many smart home security systems include cameras and sensors that can be monitored remotely using an app or web portal. This allows you to check in on your apartment from anywhere, anytime, giving you peace of mind when you're away.
• Motion detection: Smart security systems can use motion sensors to detect movement in your apartment, triggering an alert to your phone or another device if someone enters your home.

Smart Lighting

Smart lighting allows residents to control their lights remotely, using their smartphones or voice commands. This can be especially useful for residents who frequently travel or work late hours. Smart lighting can also be used to create schedules and routines, so residents can automate their homes to fit their lifestyles. Additionally, smart lighting can integrate with other smart devices, such as smart locks and security systems, to provide added security.

Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential safety features for any apartment. They can alert residents to potential dangers, even when they're not home. 

Nest Protect is a popular choice for renters. It can detect smoke and carbon monoxide and will send an alert to the resident's smartphone if there is a potential danger. It also includes a built-in night light and can be controlled using the Nest app. 

How does LittleBird provide smart home automation for multifamily properties?

LittleBird is an all-in-one solution for access control, smart home, and resident engagement designed specifically to enhance the resident experience in multifamily properties. It integrates various smart home devices and access control systems to create a more comfortable, convenient, and energy-efficient living environment for residents and property staff.

LittleBird helps with smart home automation for multifamily properties in several ways including:

• Centralized control: LittleBird provides a centralized platform that allows residents to control various smart home devices and systems from a single interface. This makes it easy for residents to manage their homes, regardless of the number and types of smart devices the property management has installed.
• Integration with popular devices: LittleBird is compatible with a wide range of smart home devices, including smart locks, thermostats, lighting controls, and security systems.
• Energy management: LittleBird helps property managers and residents monitor and manage energy usage across the community, promoting sustainability and reducing utility bills. By integrating smart thermostats and lighting controls, LittleBird can optimize energy usage based on occupancy and other factors, ensuring that residents stay comfortable while minimizing waste.
• Enhanced security: LittleBird's smart home automation systems also offer advanced security features that help keep residents and their belongings safe. It includes smart locks, 1-way video intercom calling, and other devices that can be monitored and controlled remotely. This allows residents to keep tabs on their homes, even when they are away.

Final Thoughts…

• Smart apartment technology refers to devices and systems that can automate and improve various aspects of multifamily living, ranging from simple gadgets to complex systems.
• Smart apartments incorporate various smart home technologies and devices to create a more comfortable, convenient, and energy-efficient living environment.
• Smart apartment technology can provide benefits such as energy efficiency, security, convenience, sustainability, and improved resident experience. 
• The 5 best apartment automation systems include smart locks, smart thermostats, smart home sensors, smart lighting, and smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Smart Home Automation FAQs

My apartment complex doesn’t have LittleBird, can I still turn it into a smart apartment?

Yes, you can definitely turn your apartment into a smart apartment. With the increasing popularity of smart home technology, there is now a wide range of affordable and easy-to-use smart devices available that can help you automate and control various aspects of your apartment.

Here are some steps you can take to turn your apartment into a smart apartment:

• Start with a smart home hub: A smart home hub is a central device that allows you to control all your smart devices from one place. There are many smart home hubs available on the market, such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod. You can choose the one that best suits your needs.
• Choose smart devices: Once you have a smart home hub, you can start adding smart devices to your apartment. These can include smart lights, smart thermostats, smart locks, smart cameras, smart speakers, and more. Again, you can choose the devices that suit your needs and budget.
• Set up your smart devices: Once you have your smart devices, you will need to set them up and connect them to your smart home hub. This can usually be done through a mobile app that comes with the device.
• Create automation: Once your devices are set up, you can create automation that allows your devices to work together. For example, you can set up a “Goodnight” routine that turns off your lights and locks your doors when you say “Goodnight” to your smart speaker.
• Enjoy your smart apartment: With your smart devices set up and working together, you can now enjoy the benefits of a smart apartment. 

🐥 LittleBird Tip: It's important to note that as you add more smart devices to your apartment, you may need to ensure that your internet connection is strong enough to support all of them. You may also want to consider security and privacy concerns, such as making sure your devices are password-protected and that your data is encrypted.